“Creativeness in the world is, as it were, the eighth day of creation.”
–Nicolas Berdyaev
Children shared in worship this past Sunday through music, movement, and power point. What a wonderful combination! Julie Mazer, our new Children’s Music Director, helped the children create a musical composition to Waldo Ralph Emerson’s prayer “Father We Thank Thee” using the Orff Schulwerk model of teaching and Orff instruments that have been on loan to us. This model is specifically designed to draw out the children’s creativity and gives the children opportunity to respond to the written word using Orff instruments, speech, rhythm, and movement.
Throughout the past 5 weeks, the children have been creating and practicing this piece. They were very excited to share this in worship this past Sunday. I think their excitement was in part due to the fact that they created this on their own. This is the beauty of the Orff Schulwerk approach.
I feel very fortunate and blessed to see our music program growing for the children at Orchard Ridge. We have 18 African drums, hand chimes, and a gifted Children’s Music Director. Most of us remember how we acquired the African drums—through the help of Nani Agbeli who is from Ghana but now lives in Madison and the generous donation from Ralph Petersen and Helen Horn who provided the funds to pay for them. The children, youth, and adults have used the African drums in many ways. And Julie and I are just beginning to create and brainstorm ways that these instruments can continue to be used by our children that engages them and brings out their creativity. It is also our hope that someday we will acquire a collection of Orff instruments and use them to make beautiful music.
Making music, learning music, and responding to music are all ways we can connect with God and one another. Thank you to the children and to Julie Mazer for leading us in worship this past Sunday. It was a beautiful way for the congregation to be invited into God’s presence.
